AHA Voting begins on Iraq War resolution

At its last meeting on January 7, 2007, the American Historical Association Council discussed the "Resolution on Government Practices Inimical to the Values of the Historical Profession" adopted by the AHA Business Meeting on January 6, 2007.

Members of the Council reviewed carefully the options for dealing with the resolution as defined in the AHA constitution, considering particularly the appropriateness of the Association's taking a position on the particular issue addressed by the resolution as well as the fact that the resolution had not been transmitted to the AHA in time for publication in Perspectives prior to the Business Meeting. Ultimately a majority of the Council agreed that it should accept the resolution but should also take the further step of requesting its ratification by a majority of those voting in an electronic ballot.

Directions to vote:

With this message you will receive two numbers: (1) your Survey Validation Number and (2) your AHA Member Number. You will need both numbers to cast your vote.

Before you go to the survey site (just click to the hyperlink below), please note the following login steps:

1. Enter your Survey Validation Number in the space provided.
2. Hit the tab key on your keyboard or use your mouse to place the cursor in the text box next to "Member Number" (Do not use your Enter key).
3. Enter your AHA Member Number in the space provided.

Your Survey Validation Number: xxxxx

Your AHA Member Number: xxxxx

Click on the following address to go to the AHA survey site and log in to vote:

Resolution on Government Practices Inimical to the Values of the Historical Profession

Whereas, The American Historical Association’s Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct emphasizes the importance of open inquiry to the pursuit of historical knowledge;

Whereas, the American Historical Association adopted a resolution in January 2004 re-affirming the principles of free speech, open debate of foreign policy, and open access to government records in furthering the work of the historical profession;

Whereas, during the war in Iraq and the so-called war on terror, the current Administration has violated the above-mentioned standards and principles through the following practices:
excluding well-recognized foreign scholars; condemning as "revisionism" the search for truth about pre-war intelligence; re-classifying previously unclassified government documents; suspending in certain cases the centuries-old writ of habeas corpus and substituting indefinite administrative detention without specified criminal charges or access to a court of law; using interrogation techniques at Guantanamo, Abu-Ghraib, Bagram, and other locations incompatible with respect for the dignity of all persons required by a civilized society;

Whereas, a free society and the unfettered intellectual inquiry essential to the practice of historical research, writing, and teaching are imperiled by the practices described above; and

Whereas, the foregoing practices are inextricably linked to the war in which the United States is presently engaged in Iraq; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the American Historical Association urges its members through publication of this resolution in Perspectives and other appropriate outlets:

To take a public stand as citizens on behalf of the values necessary to the practice of our profession; and